The ‘Enigma’ Variations, Elgar’s musical portrait gallery of his “friends pictured within”, is both a miniature symphony, and a uniquely revealing glimpse into the soul of a creative artist – and in ‘Nimrod’ has one of the most memorable moments in all of British music.

Grieg’s delightful mock-Baroque tribute to an 18th century poet has a surprisingly big heart, too. Russian composer Alexander Glazunov, meanwhile, enshrines the spirit of a great violinist in a lusciously romantic concerto that sings, dances and sparkles like no other. Join us for the fi rst of our concerts as, under John Wilson’s unique touch, each work springs vividly to life